Harbaugh expects Jimmy Smith to return this season

Ravens starting cornerback Jimmy Smith is expected to return this season following sports hernia surgery, coach John Harbaugh reiterated today.

Smith underwent a procedure Thursday morning in Philadelphia and is ruled out for Sunday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Although the former first-round draft pick is out for an indefinite period of time, the Ravens anticipate Smith's return later in the season.

"It's one of those things that just kind of comes on," Harbaugh said. "Torrey [Smith] had a similar deal last year and was able to play through it [The wide receiver had offseason surgery for his sports hernia]. Jimmy was not because it was just a little different position, and the details were a little different as far as the injury in there.

"He went ahead and got it corrected. It looks like, by all accounts, it went really, really well. The timeframe, it's hard to say exactly what it is, but by the end of the season there is a really, really good chance he will be back playing."